Answers to Queries.
Page 16
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Our readers will be informed by the Editor on any points connected with the construction or use of commercial motor:. Where a direct reply is desired, a stamped and addressed envelope should be enclosed : if a request for privacy is not specially made, any query and answer may be published. Some replies, owing to pressure on our space, are held several weeks. Numerous requests reach us for lists of motorcab and commercial-vehicle owners ; these we never supply. Our advertiwnent
columns are oPen to those who desire to make announcements to owners for the purposes of trade.
Wants a Gearbox Unit.
[2274] (York).—You should be able to get the gearbox for which you are inquiring from : E. G. Wrigley and Co., Ltd., Foundry Lane, Soho, Birmingham ; David Brown and Sons, Ltd., Huddersfield;. or T. B. Andre and Co., 5a, Dering Street, London, W.
Marine Glue.
[2275] (Water-tight).—We understand that "marine glue" can be bought from any drysalter or oil merchant, and we anticipate that you would obtain a supply from any such trader in . However, in order to give you the name of a definite supplier in Loudon, we have pleasure in referring you to W, H. Willcox and Co., Ltd., 38, Southwark Street, SE.
Making a Tractor Pay.
[2276] (Work Offered).No illustration is enclosed with your inquiry as to rates, but, subject to the tractor and trailer in question being of normal type and approved construction, the following reply Will probably meet your case. In the first place, we have posted our sheet of normal working costs as a guide. For contracting purposes, in order to guard against well-known contingencies and irregularity of work, we recommend you to add 50 per cent. to the working cost shown, and to accept no haulage offered winch does not _show an earning of 1s. 3d. per mile. It is only where the work is exceptionally good, with loads both ways, and with few delays, that a tractor can pay on, say, Is. per mile. No contractor can pay all his charges on the figure which is given (9.78d.) for an owner who provides his own loads, and who therefore charges nothing for supervision, and is able to economize in other ways.
Door-to-door Delivery of Eggs.
[2277] The limitation of mileage which you set, for the men you now employ, at 12 per day, is SD low, that we are led to doubt the possibility of economical substitution by motor vehicles, unless that figure can be very considerably increased. If, however, you could arrange to make an average of, say, not leas than 40 miles per day, you might, when taking into account the undoubted additional publicity which you would secure, and the fact that you would get rapid delivery, be able to employ some light-load focus of carrier in place of batches of your cycle messengers. The fact that your maximum load never exceeds 2 cwt., and very seldom amounts to that, renders it difficult for us to suggest the use of a sufficiently small machine. Unless you can suggest the reorganization of your delivery scheme on the basis of the suggested increased mileage; we are afraid that for this particular branch of your business it will not be wise for us to recommend you to supersede your messengers, who, we gather, are highly paid by salary and bonus, and who are practically your own selling representatives.
Alleged Case of a Manufacturer's Filching a Hiring-contractor's Customer.
[2278] (Provincial).--If the maker who sent the letter really does know that the party is acustomer of yours, and if your relations with this maker continue friendly, we are at a loss to explain the action which you report to us. We agree with you that it is an extraordinary proceeding, although we doubt very much if it is in any way unlawful, or one for which you can get legal redress. Only if this customer were
e16
under contract to you, do we consider that you would find that you had a basis for such redress. On the other hand, the morality of the behaviour does seem to us to be open to question.
We have not heard of action of this kind, although we daresay it is not unique, in these days of excessive competition. The degree of your grievance will, in our judgment, depend very much upon the manner in which the makers of the tractors in question became acquainted with the fact that these people were customers of yours. If you gave them the information, they are turning it to account in a manner which seems reprehensible, but, if it is open knowledge in the district, the makers of the tractors could, of course, get hold -of the information by their own independent inquiry, and they may have done so.
Making a Motorbus Pay
[2279J (South Wales).—You should be able to earn a profit on the minimum mileage which you mention 130 per working day. if you can get it higher, the incidence of driver s wages and all other charges falls per mile. Any of the approved makes of threeton chassis should suit pout' requirements.
You ought to have an engine of not less than 28 h.p. Prices will vary, chiefly according to the class of body. You might pick up a second-hand machine, suitable for the work, at about a total cost, after overhaul, of 2200. Thebest way to get in touch with such a vehicle is to advertise in'.this journal, and subsequently to have the vehicle inspected You can reckon that all the charges which you mention would be covered by an inclusive figure of lOd. per mile ; the driver should get -.about 30s. standing wage a week, with a bonus for absence of accidents and for mileage above a certain total. You should base your fares at lid. per mile to begin with, with a slight reduction for the through journey.
The aboveis written on the assumption that none of thegradients -on the road is steeper than 1 in. 8.
From a Carrier Who is Uncertain.
[2280] (Notts).—You might pick up a fairly-reliable second-hand van, capable of carrying between 10 and 12 cwt., and with solid-rubber tires (which we recommend for ;your work in preference to pneumatics) at about £120, We think you will not get a vehicle of value to you atless than that. The cost per mile, provided the engine and transmission are in fair condition, should approximate to the following: fuel (petrol at is. 3d. per gallon), Id. ; lubricants and sundry stores, including lighting, d.; maintenance -and depreciation,id.. ' tires, ,;(1. This gives a total of 2p. You -will then have to add driver's wages, rent and insurances.
The chassis of pleasure cars are resually unsuitable for commercial purposes, chiefly by reason of the fact that they will not stand the extravibration when solid-rubber tires, areused, and that when pneumatic tires are used the cost is too high for a carrier to bear.
If the aehicle is used solely in the course of trade, and is at no time used for the conveyance of passengers (not even to give a friend a lift), you pay no annual tax whatsoever, and -also get a rebate of id. per gallon on the petrol tax -of 3d, per gallon. When a second-hand car is bought, the owner or the buyer most notify the clerk of the authority where it is registered of thechange of ownership, and pay 5s. for a new reFistration in the books of that authority.